Committees, Programs & Sections

Child Protection and Advocacy

The purpose of this Section shall be to promote the objectives of the State Bar of Georgia within the field of Child Protection and Advocacy. The Section shall provide a forum for dissemination of information on aspects of juvenile law practice related to children: prosecution and agency representation, parent representation, child representation, and guardian ad litem work in deprivation or dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings in Juvenile and Probate Courts; defense and prosecution of delinquency and status offender or CHINS (Children in Need of Services) cases; miscellaneous Juvenile Court advocacy regarding competency, emancipation and parental notification issues; and handling of adoption proceedings. The Section shall additionally focus on representation at school tribunals, advocacy in IEP and other meetings, and quasi-judicial procurement of social security disability, Medicaid and other entitlements. The Section will participate in efforts to keep members informed of changing federal and state laws and of agency rules, policies and regulations and to enhance the practice of law relevant to children, except for matters related to matrimonial law as covered by the Family Law Section. The Section shall cooperate with and assist the Young Lawyer's Division's Juvenile Law Committee in its endeavors and activities on behalf of children and may elect to assist in other related activities, upon request.